"You fool, why don't you see through me?
Why don't you write to that other fool who is in love with you, and tell him how I hate you both ?" But for her self-command, she might have burst out with such mad words as those.
Maria's appearance was inexpressibly welcome.

"Say I will follow you directly," she answered.
Maria, in the language of the stage, made a capital exit.

With a few hurried words of apology, Miss Minerva prepared to follow.

Carmina stopped her at the door.
"Don't be hard on Zo!" she said.
"I must do my duty," Miss Minerva answered sternly.
"We were sometimes naughty ourselves when we were children," Carmina pleaded.

"And only the other day she had bread and water for tea.